Russian KM portal quoted NNK agency spreading sensation news: Russia is building a new radar station in Armenia, namely in Armavir province.

Head of Moscow's Alte Et Certe analytical bureau Andrei Yepifantsev commenetd on the news declaring that “Russian radar station in Armenia will aim at same goals as the one in Azerbaijani Gabala.”

Apparently, the KM just confused Armenia’s Armavir province with its namesake town Armavir in Russia’s Krasnodar region which houses the radar station expected to undergo state testing in 2012.

As to Armenia, Russia has never constructed a radar station here; at least there is no official and unofficial information or rumors on the topic.

Potential construction of a station by Russia on Armenia's territory became a subject for debates after Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said Armenia is ready to discuss with Russia construction of a radar station in its territory, similar to the one in Gabala, Azerbaijan.

PanARMENIAN.Net currently tries to get official comments on “Russian radar station in Armenia”.

Russia has been in talks with Azerbaijan to extend the lease of the Soviet-era radar, which it has operated in line with a 2002 deal. The current agreement is due to expire on December 24, 2012.

According to media reports, Azerbaijan had demanded Russia pay $300 million instead of the previously agreed $7 million for the lease, while Russia says the price is “unreasonably high.”

Russia began deploying radar stations following its failed talks with U.S. over development of European missile defense system which is expected to be launched in May 2012.

Chezh Republic, Poland, Romania, Turkey, Netherlands and Spain will host the missile defense complexes.

Moscow is seeking legally binding guarantees that the US missiles shield will not target Russia; Washington, however, refuses to provide such guarantees, just saying it is not going to attack Russia.